Area hospitals, businesses affected by water main break

It may not have been an earthquake -- but the impact is much the same.

Thursday, June 18th 2015, 5:03 PM EDT

Updated:

Thursday, June 18th 2015, 8:57 PM EDT

By Gil Corsey

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It looked like the aftermath of an earthquake, but it wasn't. The epicenter was a water main break -- but the shock waves were being felt for miles."We were wondering what actually happened," said Theo Oladorun.

"May I have your attention please," began an intercom announcement at Baptist Health Louisville. "Due to the water main break at Crescent Hill, all staff and visitors are advised not to drink any water except for bottled water and drinks."

That announcement plays every 30-minutes at Baptist Health Louisville. The hospital called in its crisis team to respond to the water main break. It delayed surgeries and doctors and all staff got special memo including an extra step for washing hands.

"Because the water still has not been confirmed, that they follow up with a hand sanitizer which we have readily available throughout the hospital," said Darlene O'Bryan, a Baptist Health Louisville spokesperson.

The mess put more than 30,000 people under the boil water advisory. It affects neighbors in Crescent Hill, the Highlands, St. Matthews, and downtown Louisville.

At Blue Dog Bakery and Cafe, bagels are off the menu because the business had no water when workers arrived. Manager Adam Gusley says it will lose money.

"We weren't able to make those, so it affected the production for the whole day...which means we can't make it out to the other wholesale accounts we have and other restaurants are adversely affected by the same thing," said Gusley.

But neighbors at the Springdale Apartments may be affected the most. As millions of gallons gushed from the ground it swamped cars and even some homes.

"All this place was flooded," said Oladorun. "And somebody was driving, and we don't know why he didn't take caution. and they just ran into that place...we were helpless. We couldn't come out to help him."

It may not have been an earthquake -- but the impact is much the same.